Cucumber (Slicing) Frank J. Dainello, Extension Horticulturist Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University		Click photo to enlarge in new window.
VARIETIES Poinsett 76, Dasher II, Turbo, Supersett, Slice Master, Daytona, Panther, Thunder, Indy, Sprint 440 II Greenhouse types: Bruneva, Brunex, Vetomil
SOIL PREFERENCE Will tolerate a wide soil range but prefers well-drained sandy loams with a pH of 6.3 - 7.5, will tolerate acid soils as low as 5.5.
OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS Hot days (80 - 90oF) and warm nights (60 - 70oF). Growth favored by low humidity and dry conditions.
ESTABLISHMENT METHODS Direct seeded Optimum time= Soil seed zone temperature 65 - 70oF(spring) or approximately 75 - 80 days prior to first fall frost date. Seeding rate= 1.5 - 2.5 lbs/A. Approx No. seed/oz= 1,100 Seeding depth= 0.5 - 0.75". Seedling spacing= 6 - 10" in-row on 40" raised beds. If needed, thin at 4 true leaves.
FERTILITY/FERTILIZATION Rates presented as actual lbs/A N2,P20 5and K2O (base actual application rates on soil test results). Generalized rate lbs/A: 80 - 80 - 80. N- 60 - 100 lbs/A= 40 - 60 lbs/A pre-plant + side-dress 20 lbs/A at thinning, vining and/or full bloom. P- 60 - 90 lbs/A banded approx 2" below seed at planting. K- 60 - 80 lbs/A applied with the pre-plant nitrogen, normally not needed in most areas of Texas.
WATER/IRRIGATION 20 - 25" uniform moisture supply. Key stress stages; establishment, vining and fruit development.
PEST MANAGEMENT Major Diseases Control Downy mildew Acrobat, Aliette, Bravo, Gavel, mancozeb, Ridomil Gold Bravo, Ridomil Gold Copper, Ridomil Gold MZ Powdery mildew Bravo, Cabrio, Flint, Nova, Procure, Quadris Anthracnose Bravo, Cabrio, Flint, mancozeb, Quadris, Topsin M Fruit belly rot Rotation, raised beds Viruses None Nematode Furadan, K-Pam, Mocap, Telone II, Telone C-17, Vydate Major Insects Control Cucumber beetle Asana, Capture, endosulfan, permethrin, Sevin Leafminer Agri-mek, permethrin, Spintor, Trigard, Vydate Aphid Actara/Platinum, Admire, diazinon, endosulfan, Fulfill Pickleworm and melonworm Asana, Capture, Lannate, permethrin, Spintor Whitefly Actara/Platinum, Admire, Danitol, endosulfan, insecticidal soap, Vydate Mite Agri-mek, Capture, Danitol, Kelthane Weeds Control Preplant incorporated Alanap, Prefar Preemergence Command, Curbit, Prefar, Sandea, Strategy Postemergence Alanap, Dacthal, Poast, Sandea, Select, Treflan (shielded)
*NOTE*--The above is a partial listing of controls intended as examples. Some labels may have been revoked since the publication of this guide. Refer to product labels for specifics and use accordingly. Failure to do so may result in crop injury, death and/or citation for failure to do so. Humans, animals and the environment may also be adversely affected by misuse.
HARVEST Days after planting= 60 - 65 when fruit are dark green, 5 - 8" in length and 1.5 - 2.0" in diameter. Method= Multi hand-harvest. Containers= 50 lb sacks or bulk bins. Grades= U.S. Fancy, U.S. #1, U.S. #2 based on uniformity of shape, size, color and defects. Packaging/Handling= 47 - 55 lb or 26 - 32 lb waterproof cardboard ctns. Anticipated yield= 250 - 0400 bu (50 lbs)/A.
STORAGE AND TRANSIT CONDITIONS 45 - 50oF + 90 - 95% RH Shelf life=10 - 14 days, subject to chilling injury if held 2 or more days below 45oF.
COMMENTS/PRODUCTION KEYS Most varieties produce predominately female flowers; bees are essential (one strong hive/A containing at least 3 - 4 lbs of bees in 5 broods of varying stages). Place hives in groups around the field at first bloom, preferably on the windward side. Avoid spraying between 8 - 11 a.m. (period of greatest bee activity); preferably spray at night. Rainy or windy weather can reduce bee activity and cause yield and quality reductions. Collapsed or misshapen fruit is an indication of poor pollination. Excessive nitrogen or water can delay maturity. Irrigating every other bed can aid harvest scheduling. 2 - 4 day harvest schedule required to keep up with fruit set. Good weed control and vine training on beds are a must for efficient harvest (avoid deep cultivation). Temperatures > 95 - 100oF or other plant stresses can cause sex reversion in flowers and a subsequent yield reduction. Temperature < 60oF can delay maturity as much as 15 days; <50oF, severely stunted plants and reduced yield. Fruit subject to shriveling (waxing and storage under high relative humidity reduces severity).
Texas Cooperative Extension, Horticulture Crop Guides Series Revised November, 2003 http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/vegetable/cropguides/slicers.html Prepared for Web delivery by Brooke Bludau, Amanda Zan, and Dan Lineberger